heard as a very effective lay-preacher. He will appear again in this resume, and also be heard of in other chapters. A grandson of this gentleman, the Rev. T. E. Marsden, D.D. (the_first Australian Native appointed to the Episcopal office) wras the first Bishop of Bathurst. After labouring zealously for some years he removed to England and took part in the consecration of Dr. Goe, the present Bishop of Melbourne. O n the 27th December, 1841, the foundation of a chapel was laid on the new line of road to Sydney, about 2y2 miles from Melbourne (Brunswick). Religious service was held at 3 p.m., in a tent pitched for the purpose, and there was a tea-party at 5 p.m. T h e Rev. Mr. Wilkinson was m u c h appraised during his stay, and in September, 1842, he left Melbourne for Bathurst (N.S.W), to be succeeded by the Rev. M r . Schofield. T h e Rev. S. Wilkinson was, until his death some years since, the sole survivor of the early ministers of religion who wrought zealously and sowed good seed in the spiritual soil of Port Phillip. T h e Rev. Mr. Orton left N e w South Wales for England in the beginning of 1842, and on the 30th April died at sea off Cape Horn, leaving a widow and eight children to sorrow over an irreparable bereavement. THE FIRST BAZAAR.
To the Wesleyans belong the merit, or otherwise, of being the first to introduce a "wind-raising machine," and the invention, not being patented, was afterwards so largely pirated in the colony, as to be resorted to whenever any movement was set on foot spiritual or temporal, to extract money by an indirect m o d e from private pockets. This bazaar or fancy fair was engineered by the most skilful "bazaar-runner" in the colony, the Mr. Marsden recently noticed, who, from the bigness of his size, got to be universally known as " big Marsden," though " Preacher Marsden," was also used as a sobriquet. H e was equally good at a sermon or a speech; as m u c h at h o m e on the platform as in the pulpit; but unsurpassable when taking round the hat on behalf of a public charity. H e was good-humoured to a degree, of almost unvaried evenness of temper, though, when engaged in a Corporation election battle, he could frown. Sunshine was the usual state of weather with him in his intercourse with the public, for he participated in nearly all social, religious, and political demonstrations from 1841 to 1851. T h e management of thisfirstbazaar, therefore, could not have possibly dropped into better hands, and it proved a most profitable hit. It was held at the Mechanics' Institute, and lasted two days. Its special purpose was to raise funds towards the liquidation of the debt on the Wesleyan Chapel. Dr. M'Arthur, of Heidelberg, M r . Cole, of the Merri Creek, and Captain Foxton made suitable presents, and the commanders of the " Abberton," " Achilles," " Elora," and " Elizabeth Thompson," ships then in the Bay, kindly lent bunting to enhance the decorations. T h e opening was fixed for the 20th December, 1843. T h e stalls, five in number, were presided over by Mrs. James W e b b , Miss Peers, Mrs. Jones, Miss Batman, Mrs. Sweetman, Miss Shillinglaw, Mrs. Scales, Mrs. Marsden, and Mrs. Theophilus Dredge. T h e first article sold was to Mr. James Croke, the old Crown Prosecutor, and a staunch R o m a n Catholic. Forcing his way up to where Mrs. Marsden was about to commence her duties as a ministering, or rather a trafficking, angel, he blurted out in a rough, honest way, peculiar to him, " Have you any snuff-boxes there ?" T o which " the angel " answered by handing him one. " U m p h , ah, and what may be the price of this article, Mrs. Marsden ?" " Only 3s. 6d, Mr. Croke." " Here Ma'am, that will pay you," was the rejoinder, "Old Croke" at the same timeflinginga sovereign on the stand, and unceremoniously turning to depart. " Oh, please, Mr. Croke, wait for your change "—fancy a modern bazaar lady committing such an indiscretion as to even think of giving change—was sung out after him, whereupon the new proprietor of the snuff-box with a back answer of " Oh, don't bother me," tramped off about his business. A n d so Mrs. Marsden sold thefirstarticle ever disposed of at a bazaar in the colony, and queer old " J i m m y Croke" was thefirstpurchaser. Amongst the exhibits were some net bags manufactured by aboriginal women, from native grass and the fibrous substances of certain indigenous plants, presented by Mr. Parker, one of the assistant-protectors of the Blacks. T w o oil-paintings of the aborigines, the gift of Mr. Thomas Napier, were faithfully executed. A very ingenious design, on paper, for a sundial, by Mr. N. Guthridge, also obtained m u c h notice. T h efirstday's takings netted ,£60, a handsome sum for the time. T h e second day's receipts were ^ 3 0 , in all ,£90, and as several articles remained undisposed of, Mr. J. W . Bell, a Collins
